Sunday, December 4, 2011

Check out this photo above. You see it? It's a ghost! How in the hell did that get there?!?! WOW! Soooo SCARY! Isn't it awesome???

Actually, let me answer that for you... No.

It shows me you'll lie your ass off just to get 5 minutes of fame and you have nothing better to do with your time. No work involved. Just download the application for your smart phone and snap a photo. Fool your friends and family! So much FUN!

For those of you who use this as a joke and such, that's a different story. If anyone can respect a good prank, it's me.

What really burns me up is a few people have submitted photos and asked my opinion on what I think. They actually think that I have not seen the photo they submitted about 10 times in the past and expect me to claim it as real for them. Wasting my time and possibly my credibility I have worked hard on achieving in this field.

Here's an example of what the ghost application does:

Now, there are some people out there that have submitted REAL photos in which I totally support. (... one that still puzzles me is the one from this couple I know that got a fully body apparition at the Shanley Hotel.)

Another thing that gets me is when an established team tries to fool the public with something like that. I've seen this as well. Makes me sad to think they actually try this.

The fact is this, ANYONE can do this type of research and catch good evidence. Just takes the right equipment, safety, time, money, and tad bit of bravery. The main ingredient is being at the right place at the right time. If anything, it's like winning the lottery. It's not rocket science by any means. However, keep in mind it's not for everyone. Sometimes, you can get more than you bargained for.

I know I for one will be glad to see those apps disappear as people get sick of them as well. Until then... say "CHEESE"!

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Say it with me - "I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."

Now, I am going to bet that you are asking yourself after reading the above pledge, "What is he writing about the pledge for?" Since we are approaching Thanksgiving, it started me thinking... What better way to give 'thanks' then to share my thoughts on our current economical downfall in the U.S.

I was born and raised 100% American. Lived here my whole life. Have a long list of family members that have served in the military, on the police force, etc. I am as loyal as they come to upstanding what our forefathers started and have pledged my allegiance to the flag more days than I can count. ( ...there used to be the mentioning of 'God' in there, guess someone decided to change that also...)

It is only now that I am getting extremely fearful of our government. Here's why...

We have been asleep at the wheel. I bet our founding fathers would punch us right in the face for doing so. We let them down. They gave up everything to gain freedom, and we took it all for granted and watched it slowly disappear right in front of our face. TSA inspections, video cameras on every street corner, wiring tapping, patriot act, ending of the social security Ponzi scheme, etc.

As sad as it is, we have been misled and misinformed. But now it is our job to take it back. And it is not going to be easy.

We tried to fix it with Obama. Hell.. I voted for the guy. Why? Because change was needed. It still is. Obama has not followed through on most of his campaign promises and have only put us deeper into debt. I feel as though Obama had the right intentions going into the presidency until the people above him took him aside and explained the real deal. Conform or go the way of JFK, perhaps?

I feel like we have been swindled. Ripped-off. The banks took the money and hoarded it... and we just stood there idly by and watched the whole thing. Stolen in brood daylight. It's like they ordered a lobster dinner and left us holding the bill.

What if there was a bigger agenda going on? What if the real people in charge were the large corporations and certain individuals powering the financial institutions? The Bilderberg Group perhaps? What if 9/11 was contrived by our own government so they could pass the patriot act to protect itself from civil war here in the U.S.? What if the war in Iraq was designed to go after oil and train our very own military on how to handle civil unrest so when they are called back home, most of the military would be employed directly by the U.S. government to enforce martial law?

I feel we all need to ask massive amounts of questions to get to the truth at this time. This is crucial to our countries well being. Stay silent and a George Orwell future might be our demise.

Am I a supporter for Occupy Wall St.(OWS)? Yes and no. I believe all Americans have the right to speak their minds no matter what it is. That is called freedom of speech, remember? Support OWS or not, it is our duties as American's to stand up for our freedoms. This is one of the reasons why this blog exists.

I think I understand why OWS has no clear agenda. If they had a certain set of demands, it would make it easier for the opposition to manipulate the outcome. To expose it for being fraudulent or unethical in some way. Without a real OWS agenda, there is nothing for them to realistically fight against.

So, what if everything I wrote here is false? No harm, no foul. We are almost at rock bottom now, so it would make little difference at this time. I believe the phrase is: Better to be safe than sorry.

I am certain of one thing at this time... We are all in for a world of hurt unless change is implemented ASAP. If it doesn't directly effect you at this time, eventually it will. There is no way to avoid it unless you are a millionaire. The country is running out of money, jobs are still overseas, China is kicking our ass in various markets, thoughts circulating of regulating the internet, video cameras on every street corner, etc. Our future is looking bleak and disastrous for the majority.

So, what can we do?

Do not just sit there and wait for the other guy to do something. Get involved in any way you can.

Pay attention. Listen to what is going on around you. Stop ignoring politics. Educate yourself. Buy American products as much as you can. Help get corporate America out of our government.

Try and support small business as much as you can. If it means driving an extra mile to help the little guy, do it. If it means longer internet searches to find a seller in the United States, do it.

These are my views. Take them or leave them. Just don't start crying when the country implodes financially, they start taxing you heavily for your citizenship, and you lose everything... including what little bit of freedom we have left.

This message was not presented by the Ron Paul committee, but I endorse him for 2012... unless they get to him also.

Oh yeah... and one more thing...

UPDATE: There is a bill that is being introduced that would be horrific and obliterate freedom as we know it if it passed. Click HERE to read it.Or... for all the busy people that don't have the time...

(d) Constitutional Limitation on Applicability to United States Persons- The authority to detain a person under this section does not extend to the detention of citizens or lawful resident aliens of the United States on the basis of conduct taking place within the United States except to the extent permitted by the Constitution of the United States.

In other words, if these provisions are enacted, it would give the federal government the explicit power to imprison civilians, including American citizens, indefinitely with no charges or trial.

Friday, November 18, 2011

Tis' that time of year yet again. Time to dust off the xmas decorations and invite the family over for Xmas cookies, spiked eggnog and other festive treats. It's also time to ask yourself, have you been naughty or nice this past year?

As some of you may already know, one of the things I like to do this time of year is look at all the top 10 xmas gift lists that are on the internet. It's kind of cool to see all the different opinions on the year's HOT item list. One thing that I did not find was a Top 10 gift list for paranormal investigators. So, this is my "Top 10 Paranormal Xmas Gift List" for the blog that I will try and do annually.

So let's see what the big red man might be bringing some of you this year, shall we?

1) FLIR i7 Compact Infrared Camera - $1595 - Ghoststop.comWhat can I say, these babies look awesome. My team and I had the privilege of using a $15,000 thermal camera recently on a residential investigation, and we were pretty impressed. It is looking like I may have to get a FLIR sometime soon. This one here has caught my eye.

2) Mini Wireless Color Camera with Microphone - $26.58 - Amazon.comLet's say you have a client that insists they are seeing apparitions in their house or reporting object movement, but every time you are there investigating, nothing happens. Use one of these puppies, with the owner's permission of course. All you'd need would be the composite cable and a recording source I believe.

3) Melissa & Doug Stuffed Jumbo Brown Teddy Bear - $62.67 - Buy.comHave you ever used a trigger object while investigating? I would suggest that if you are going to go hunting, use big bait. Nothing bigger than this bad boy right here. Just take your favorite EMF Pump and stuff it into his head or wherever you see fit. Children spirits would surely love this amazing toy. Hell.. who wouldn't?

4) Mel Meter EMF/Temp Guage With RED Backlight & Flashlight - $93 - GhostStop.comStill a great item to have if you don't own one. Great for debunking. Not only can you get a temp reading and EMF spike at the same time, but it has a built in red light to keep your night vision. They make other hybrids of this meter as well, but this is the one I recommend.

5) "I Believe In Ghosts" Merchandise - $3.99 and up - http://www.cafepress.com/opheliasartWhat better way to claim you are a "freak of nature" than to let the entire world know that you believe in ghosts. Wouldn't it be awesome to buy every single item on this page to proclaim your love for spirits and ghost hunting? If I were rich, I would seriously consider it.

6) PARACORDER/EVP BOOSTER TM- $12 - http://www.emfpump.comObviously you want to get the best evidence that you can , right? Maybe this is what you need.ENERGIZES GHOSTS by mimicking a more aggressive and exact Schumann Resonance frequency of 7.83 Hz utilizing a wider field VORTEX, yet will not interfere with other meters in the area. QUIET DUAL EMF VORTEX OSCILLATORS uses Tesla coil technology operating at a more aggressive Schumann resonance of 7.83Hz. Takes a 9 volt to operate(which it eats up rather quickly).

7) Vibration Alarm - $9.95 - http://www.lessemf.com/ghost.htmlThis item is great for those rooms with semi-sensitive floors. Just put this alarm down near a doorway/hallway and stay stationary while you wait. Or, leave this in an adjacent room and listen for any responses it may generate. Could even be used to help secure a location. Just drop a few of these by the entry points of your investigation location.

8) Sony HVR-HD1000U MiniDV 1080i High Definition Camcorder with 10x Optical Zoom - $1500 - Amazon.comAm I crazy you ask??? Damn straight I am. This bad boy will take paranormal investigators to the next level. Toss some extra IR's on this puppy and you can do no wrong. Not only does it have Super Night shot IR(0 lux) built in, it is the best choice on the market as an entry level professional camcorder. I like my Sony SR-11, but STILL want one of these...

9) St. Benedict Medal - $2 - aquinasandmore.comPlanning on doing investigations in places that could have demonic entities? Spend the $2 on this item and have it blessed. This will be the best money you can spend on paranormal investigative equipment, no doubt.

10) Investigation with Scream Paranormal Research in Gettysburg, PA $150 - http://www.phenomevents.com/tickets.htmlWhy not give the gift of a paranormal investigation with an established research team? Scream Paranormal Research will be doing an ALL AGES investigation along with a Paranormal 101 class on March 24th, 2012. Phenomenology 104 PARAPALOOZA is one of THE best paranormal events of the year, so try not to miss it if you are serious about ghost hunting. This is a limited ticket event, so you may want to secure them quickly if you plan to go.

Well, that's my xmas list for 2011. Did I forget something that you think I should have put on the list? Let me know.

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

With everything going on in today's world, there is much information to sift through and digest. Some people say the end of days is near, and some say nothing is going to happen. Some say UFO's exist, and some say it's just a weather balloon. Some say 9/11 was directed by our own government to justify going to Iraq to get to oil and those "weapons of mass destruction"... WMD's... remember that? (rumor has it they are finding chemical WMD's now... yeah, I wonder how that got there...) Back and forth, back and forth.

I try not to be a 'doomsday'er' type. But I do see some weird stuff going down that just seems a bit out of place. Like...

With everything you read above, doesn't it seems a bit odd that all of this is happening all at once? Coincidence? Does our government know something they are not telling us?

Let's say.. for the hell of it... the U.S. government knows that the world population has become a major problem for our planet and something needs to be done about it. So, some of the major world leaders decide on a collective plan... a new world order.

Maybe, start by taking all of the money and hoarding/hiding it. ...check. Finish building mass underground bases around the globe as quickly as possible. ...check. Maybe start a nuclear war on our own soil and blame Iran or another country to justify a retaliation? Don't forget now kiddies, we are at WAR because they said so, correct?

I bet this scenario could cut the world population down rather quickly. How about the use of FEMA camps for any social uprisings that may occur as a result? Civil unrest? Sure... sounds fictional, huh? Like something directly from a blockbuster film from Hollywood, perhaps?

Remember those "weapons of mass destruction" Iraq had before we went over there on March 20, 2003 and occupied their country? Well.. Keep in mind, those are the same people that are implying that Iran has the capabilities to make nuclear weapons. Brrrrrr... Is it getting cold in here???

How about that asteroid named 2005 YU55 that just past the earth a week ago? Weird..

Now, I am not saying the end is near OR we are all doomed. I am just throwing some facts and fiction together to paint a picture. However, what I am saying is that it does seem a bit odd that alot of this is happening all around us at this time.

One thing I learned a long time ago is that you can't trust the U.S. government. It is our duty as American citizens to be the watch dogs of our country. We got lazy and put way too much trust in politicians to make these decisions for us. At this time, there is too much money in there corrupting everyone who touches it. For any hope at all, there needs to be major change. Historical change needs to happen.

Always remember... the needs of the few outweigh the needs of the many... or is that supposed to be reversed? Hmmm...

Monday, October 10, 2011

Had an amazing time at the Fort Mifflin Expo this past weekend. The expo brought out quite a few teams from the area as well as Shannon(GHI) and Jeff Silvia from ParaRockTV and Katrina Weidman from Paranormal State.

I was blown away by how many people I knew from Facebook that came out to hang with me and the team that day. Traveling from as far as Ohio, Illinois and other parts of the country. You were all freakin' super cool!

We ended up getting there rather early, but got setup quickly. Think I got there around 9:30am and left around 12:30am. Loooong day.

So, how did the lecture go? Well.. the feedback I received was completely positive. I believe someone even said they thought I had a "fun" lecture. For me, that is awesome. Why? Because that is what I try and accomplish every time I go out to the expo's and meet and greets. To have a great time and to share this with everyone I meet.

Brings me to my next topic of discussion.. Somebody, who will NOT remain nameless... Ehem, Shannon, pulled a very good prank on me during the investigation.

We were all gathered in the one casemate at the fort with a laser grid aimed at the fireplace. Rumor has it that a spirit crosses in front of the fireplace from time to time. So, I recorded this area as much as I could until we heard another investigator in the hall outside our closed door. So, being the smart-ass that I am, I opened the door and yelled, "Are there any spirits out here that want to communicate with us?!?!" Everyone got a bit of a chuckle out of it.

While I was out there, the investigator with the K-2 meter had some possible activity. I started filming it for him. 1 minute later, everyone in the other room that was in front of the fireplace let out a blood curdling scream! For obvious reasons I ran back in and asked, "What happened!?!?" They proceeded to tell me I had just missed a full body apparition move across the fireplace seconds earlier.

Now dudes... Let me tell you. Nothing sucks more than hearing you just missed recording a full body apparition on video. It's like giving a child the x-mas present they always wanted and then after they open it, you rip it from their hands. Bigtime total downer. :(

However, once I found out that is was all a joke, I felt much better... In fact, I felt so good at that time that I started plotting my revenge. Nothing malicious of course. If anything, acknowledgment of a good joke. Stay tuned for the video on this at a later date... I think I am giving the video to Shannon to air on her TV show as an exclusive. I will keep everyone informed on this.

Events are made to be fun and that is exactly what it was. An absolute BLAST! Going to miss everyone from that weekend. Hope to see them all again real soon!

Remember, SUPPORT THE FORT!!! Click HERE to find out how you can help.

Here are some photos from the event:

Lorraine and I.Attendee Ryan making his "I mean business!" face with his awesome hair style.

This guy was on my ass all damn day.. Why? I do not know... (.. just kidding Jeff..)

So... I found out the hard way that Shannon Silvia likes to pull pranks on people. Loved it Shannon!

Who knew Katrina was a local??? I had no clue...

Rebecca with The Shadows Radio. Always a pleasure to hang with her.

Albert the super sweet cat. You would be also if you sat in a box of sugar to catch some Z's.

Off to do about 20 hours of evidence review. Thanks for all your support! Till next time...

Tuesday, October 4, 2011

I feel as though I needed to blog about this. There are just a few people out there that compare my hair to another paranormal investigator in the field by the name of Zak Bagans. He is an investigator on the TV show Ghost Adventures and sports a faux hawk as well. I have nothing against Zak or his crew. They are quite entertaining at times. Hell... I'd buy him a beer if I ran into him.

I need to say this for the record... I have been sporting this hairstyle WAAAAAAAAAAY longer than Ghost Adventures has been on the air. My wife and I have figured I have had this hairstyle since around 2002 or so. First it was just a flip in 2001, then it became the faux hawk. Ghost Adventures has been on network since 2007 I believe.

If everyone must know, my brother-in-laws sport the same hair style. I guess after being around them for about 10 years, it rubbed off on me and the flip became the faux hawk you know and love today.

I have absolutely nothing against the guy, but I would never want to be anyone but myself.

For those of you that don't know, I was in a few rock bands through the years. My hair styles have always been one extreme to the next. Someone the other day suggested to me to do blonde tips on my faux hawk. Funny thing is... I have already done that a few times in the past.

Now, there are many celebs out there that sport this hairstyle: David Beckham, Tre Cool, Ricky Martin, Jude Law, Hayden Christensen (...my step cousin...), the list goes on...

Just need to clear the hair... I mean air, so that I could feel at peace with myself about this.

Saturday, September 17, 2011

After much debate, I have finally taken the time to release my investigation guide. This guide was written to answer the general questions I get asked on a day to day basis.

In this guide, I will go over the popular beliefs and theories that many paranormal investigators share in the community, the different types of hauntings and how to investigate them, popular equipment and techniques used in the field of paranormal investigating, how to conduct a proper and thorough investigation, evidence review, how to find haunted hotspots throughout the United States, how to start your own team, and the paranormal community in general.

I hope you find this guide educational, as well as entertaining. I have always been interested in sharing as much as I possibly can with the paranormal community in hopes of getting closer to the answering the questions many people have on their minds: Do ghosts exist?

This guide will ONLY be available at the events, lectures and 'meet and greets' Scream Paranormal Research or I attend. $5 gets you all of the practical knowledge I have gained from investigating the paranormal. Currently, there are no plans to ship the books/guides out via mail.

Have an Android phone? The same information in the book/guide can be found in the Android app that is available for download HERE. Only .99 cents for the download.

UPDATE: Books/guides are IN and they look fantastic! I will be selling these at the following locations:

Thursday, September 8, 2011

I picked up Dead Island for Xbox 360 the other day after checking out the trailer video on YouTube. Here is my take on this gem of a zombie game:

Wow. I love this game. It is not the graphically best or most advanced Xbox 360 game around, but it is the most fun you will have battling zombies on the 360. Don't get me wrong. I like the zombie level of Black Ops, but this game is like actually being on a dream vacation island fighting off a zombie apocalypse. For obvious reasons, this makes it awesome.

For hardcore gamers, the playability is reminiscent Fallout 3. It is an action RPG with a general storyline. Now, you may say, "What?? A general storyline???" Yes. Because the game is so much fun that a storyline just gets in the way of all the zombie bashing goodness. The game has a mission based system that is pretty damn fun though.

There are a few things I would change though. One thing would be the need to open the tourist baggage you find along the way to find only like $6. Micro looting is not much fun. So, that is my one negative thought on the game amongst a ton of other things it gets right.

The sound is super cool as well. Nothing beats hearing a screaming zombie getting closer as it runs toward you. The freak out factor when this happens is huge. It is a highlight of the game.

Don't have an Xbox 360? This game is also available for PC as well. Both offer co-op play as well if you want to take on the zombie horde with a friend.

Do yourself a favor, check out this game if you love zombies. This is the zombie game you have been waiting for. Click HERE for more Dead Island info.

UPDATE:The game is selling out everywhere. My brother went and call numerous stores in our area to find that they were all sold out. So, be sure to call ahead before going into your local game store.

Saturday, September 3, 2011

Anyone who truly knows me can tell you that I do not support para-drama in anyway, shape or form. Sure, some of us can loose our cool now and again. If you say otherwise, you are not being truthful. (Unless of course you are not human)

Let's face it, jealousy and hatred are stinky colognes. There is much competition in the paranormal field at the moment. TV shows, producers, networks are all looking for the next big paranormal team for national shows and interviewing everyone. Which can sometimes lead to wrong assumptions and jealousy.

Drama can only fuel the people you have issues with. Not only does talking about them behind their back show others that you have loose lips and sink ships, but it also puts them in the spotlight and can show your jealousy. So, ask yourself this... Is that what you really want? To promote someone else and show others that you have a big mouth and talk negatively about others?

This attitude is the path to the dark side and can only do you harm. Cause let's face it, any promotion is good promotion for the people you are talking negatively about. And while your friends might have your back and say, "Yeah! I hear that! You tell em!", you can guarantee behind your back they are questioning your ethics and whether or not one day you will turn on them as well. If not, they definitely should.

As with any profession, it is always best to be courteous and professional with everyone you meet. Whether it be a client, team mate, or anyone for that matter. You are representing yourself to others 24/7. Tired? Pissed off? You may want to leave that attitude at home.

Another thing to remember is attitude is everything. Being positive, especially while on investigations is essential. I avoid negative people like the plague, it is my guess that spirits more than likely do also.

So, keep your chin up and remain positive. Never let someone knock you off your game. Take the good with the bad. Don't create drama. Avoid it. If you do spread drama, you are only hurting yourself by looking like someone who can't be trusted and you are just promoting someone else.

And, if after reading this you want to talk negatively about me... I absolutely and totally welcome it! Thanks! ;)

Saturday, July 30, 2011

I haven't written a review on new equipment in quite a while. Mainly due to the fact that I have not picked up a new piece of equipment worth writing about till now.

The Nikon D3100 is an amazing DSLR camera for the money. It has automatic features as well as manual control. I guess I should say that I have some experience with using a 35mm in the past. It's has been a while, but it's sort of like riding a bike. Once you know about f-stops and lens, you never completely forget it.

This camera is also new user friendly. It has a user guide mode built right into the camera. So is you need quick information on taking great shots, it is easily accessible.

The D3100 has a 14.2 megapixel DX-format CMOS image sensor that produces amazing shots. Crystal clear and deep in color. Even if the photos produce color that is not exactly what you wanted, a little post editing can turn a so-so photo into a masterpiece.

I opted for this camera for 2 reasons: 1) the 14.2 megapixel. 2) the HD video recorder. This Nikon has a 1080p HD video with full-time autofocus and sound. The automatic focus can be a bit noisy when doing video, but the video quality is great. It falls short on the ability to use an external mic. Why they did not include an external mic input feature is beyond me.

I bought the camera body with the 3x 18-55mm zoom-NIKKOR VR image stabilization lens. This is a great starter lens that does not disappoint. I also opted to buy a wide angle lens adapter with macro ability.

Here are some of the photos I have taken recently using the D3100:

Keep in mind though, this camera does not come with IR capabilities built in. However, you can get it modified to support IR, UV or both. Check out http://www.maxmax.com/nikon_d3100.htm for more info.

Overall I can say that this DSLR is awesome. I immediately started using the manual settings and most of the photos I have taken so far have been amazing. I picked up the factory refurb model for $519 from Cameta Photo. It even has a 1 year full manufacturer warranty.

Sunday, July 10, 2011

Just got back from a Fort Mifflin investigation. Had a blast investigating with everyone at the event. Think I may have picked up some cool evidence as well.

The one thing that stood out this time out at the Fort, was how enthusiastic everyone was. It was nice to see everyone upbeat and excited for the investigation. They even fired the cannon before the investigation this time. Very cool.

I think I learned something last night.. People should take investigating the paranormal with stride. Being so serious all the time does nothing for you or those around you. Enjoy yourself. Maintain a positive attitude. Don't be completely cynical. Lighten up and have fun!

Friday, July 8, 2011

Over the past few months, I have had quite a few emails come in asking me direct questions about equipment I use, techniques, and many other questions. Everyone has opinions on these topics I am sure, so I guess it is time to share mine.

Question #1: When did you start investigating the paranormal?Answer #1: It has been about 5 years since I have started investigating the paranormal. I had a paranormal experience as a child, and ever since then, I have had interest in the paranormal.

Question #2: Where is your favorite investigation location?Answer #2: This is a tough one to answer... There are so many of them. I find myself and my team doing quite a few residential investigations lately. Some of those have been real eye openers.

Question #3: What is your favorite piece of equipment?Answer #3: My ZOOM H2 is near and dear to my heart at this time. It records audio in 360 degrees and is crystal clear. It can also be used for real time monitoring with headphones. The one thing I am not crazy about with this recorder, is that the battery life is about only 2.5 hours.

Question #4: What is your favorite paranormal TV show?Answer #4: At this time? No comment.

Question #5: What do you think orbs really are?Answer #5: 9 times out of 10, they are just dust, bugs, etc. Every once in a while, I see evidence that leads me to believe it could be a spirit. So, I guess I consider myself a bit reserved when it comes to orbs.

Question #6: Have you ever seen a ghost?Answer #6: I have seen what I believe to be shadow people. On more than one occasion, during different investigations.

Question #7: Are you ever scared when you investigate?Answer #7: I have investigated some creepy places. Scared? No. Creeped out? Sometimes. However, it may only last for a minute or so.

Question #8: Why do you investigate the paranormal?Answer #8: I like this question.. The main reason I investigate is because I can. The positives outweigh the negatives.

Question #9: Have you ever brought something home with you?Answer# 9: Not that I am 100% sure of. That's not to say I have not been followed home. I have had some weird stuff happen in my home in the past.

Question #10: Can I join your team?Answer #10: At this time, all team spots are currently filled. However, feel free to send an email to screamparanormalresearch@gmail.com in case a spot opens up.

Well, there you have it. Thanks to everyone for sending your questions in. Keep em' coming, and eventually I will answer them. Peace.

Thursday, June 30, 2011

An electromagnetic field (also EMF or EM field) is a physical field produced by electrically charged objects. It affects the behavior of charged objects in the vicinity of the field. The electromagnetic field extends indefinitely throughout space and describes the electromagnetic interaction. It is one of the four fundamental forces of nature (the others are gravitation, the weak interaction, and the strong interaction). <<< from Wikipedia

So, what does this mean for a paranormal investigator? Some say that it will hinder their investigation causing false positive readings on a MEL Meter or tri-field meter. Others claim it can help a spirit manifest and communicate in a more efficient manner. I happen to believe that EMF can help during an investigation.

I recently put together an EMF pump based loosely on a reversed engineered item. Basic theory is that a high powered magnet(Neo) spinning at a high velocity can generate an EM field. This is generally correct and works as intended.

If you ever decide to use an EMF pump, you may want to be extra careful while using them. While turned on, they can wipe out a cell phone, hard drive and cause havoc on other electronic devices. Let this serve as your warning.

Thursday, June 23, 2011

One of the things I see in many people who tell me they have witnessed a paranormal event or know someone who has, usually will have a pattern.

First off, let me say that I watch patterns quite closely when it comes to the paranormal. Why? Because I believe it helps validate and justify my investigation style and findings. This is close to the core of my belief system.

For example, I have found that children witness and report paranormal events more so than adults do. Do adults listen when this happens? It seems as though they will shrug off the possibility to paranormal rather quickly. Busy work schedule, paying bills, and many other distractions. They will believe there is a normal explanation for the event. Keep in mind, I am also referring to the skeptics of course.

It is my belief that most children are not conditioned to the point that the paranormal does not exist. They can communicate with the dead, see past relatives, and even have visions of possible future events. Again, I am basing this on patterns I have become aware of along my travels.

Is the paranormal truly real? Only as real as you believe. Remain closed minded to anything extraordinary, and you will never know.

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Yep. I went there... I am asking the BIG question: Is there an afterlife? Whatever your opinion is, please keep in mind, it is ONLY an opinion. There are no hard facts that supports the idea that there is without a doubt an afterlife, nor that there is not one.

Stephen Hawking recently claimed in an article, 'There is no heaven; it's a fairy story'.

For those of you who do not know who Stephen Hawking is:

Professor Hawking has twelve honorary degrees. He was awarded the CBE in 1982, and was made a Companion of Honour in 1989. He is the recipient of many awards, medals and prizes, is a Fellow of The Royal Society and a Member of the US National Academy of Sciences.

Now, I am not saying this professor is not intelligent in ways that others could only dream to be, but what gives him the right to state something like this when there is no possible way to prove it DOES NOT exist?

The idea of an afterlife is built around faith, dreams, imagination, literature, and other forms of information. I was once an altar boy, strong in the catholic faith. Made my communion, confirmation, etc. At the time, I was a firm believer in God and a heaven. As I grew older, I drifted from my faith for many reasons. Even though I drifted from the church, I still held a general belief in an afterlife.

Many years later, I stand before you as more of a believer in an afterlife than ever. Why? Because with some of the stuff my paranormal team and I have seen from our investigations, I would be a fool to think otherwise. How can I dismiss that fact that I have heard 10 disembodied voices, 5 of which I caught on audio? No matter how hard I try to remain scientific/skeptical about it, I just can't deny what I have seen and heard over the years while paranormal investigating.

I have always thought NDE's might be an amazing way to see what lies ahead for us. If you want, Google "near death experiences" and read what others may already know.

Tuesday, May 10, 2011

I have been wanting to write up a new post on my blog for weeks now. I finally set aside a few minutes to write about something I had on my mind.

The other day, I went into a "mystic" shop to check out books and such. For me, I believe in the fact that there might be things spiritually at work in this universe that I do not fully understand. I also feel as though I am a 50-50 sort of guy. Little skeptical, but open minded as well.

So, as I was in this "mystic" shop, I asked the shop owner if he knew of any kind of crystals or such that could help a spirit manifest itself during an investigation. He replied with, "A triangle of art... You would need to make one yourself. It forces the spirit to show itself." Now, this sounded a lot like magic or a spell to me. I told the shop keeper, "I don't deal in magic and such. I take a more scientific approach to ghost hunting and don't want to conjure up demons or spirits against their will. I just want something to give them extra energy to manifest if they want to." He proceeded to tell me that the "triangle" was the way to go.

Now, why would I want to force a spirit to show itself to me? To try and control a demon or spirit during an investigation? No way man... I don't play that game. Why? Two reasons. Firstly, it seems almost obvious that when you start using magic and spells like this you are deliberately opening doors you may not be able to close correctly, and secondly, I do not want to force spirits to do anything. I have heard way too many horror stories of people getting possessed(or thinking they are possessed.) cause they didn't know how to do something properly.

I left the store shortly there after. He was a nice guy. Very helpful and excited to share the info. But I couldn't help but feel as though that this info he gave me could be a bit dangerous in the wrong hands. Buyer beware I guess. To each his own.

I think my next stop will be to purchase an EMF Pump or Ionizer like I had originally planned and continue to let the spirits come to me if they wish.

Sunday, April 17, 2011

Hi all. Since releasing the "SPR Ghost Hunting Event Guide" on Android a few months back, I have been contacted by quite a few people to do a full-blown ghost hunting guide. I wasn't going to do this because there is so much information out there based on theories and such. It's hard to get a solid grasp on what is true and speculation. I tried my best to sort through as much information for the this new app as possible.

I am also going to be working on a iPhone app in the near future as well. Stay tuned.

Sunday, March 27, 2011

Gettysburg. The name stands out as one of, if not, THE biggest name in the paranormal field. The Battle of Gettysburg is listed in history as having 51,112 casualties during this 3 day massacre. Some of the locations(eg. The Bloody Wheatfield, Devil's Den) were covered with bodies that were bathed in a mix of Union and Confederate blood. My respect goes out to each and every one of these men.

As for the haunted history of Gettysburg, PA, this list is also extensive as well. Full body apparitions have been reported as being witnessed on the battlefields and in the buildings throughout Gettysburg. Most of the buildings during the war were used as hospitals, housing the wounded or dying soldiers. Because of the pain and anguish they endured during this war, it is strongly believed that this is one of the reasons why Gettysburg is incredibly haunted.

This past weekend I attended the Phenomenology 103 event in Gettysburg, PA and signed up for 2 investigations.

The first investigation was on Friday night at the Jennie Wade house. There were 15 or so of us that had divided into 3 groups. One on the first floor, one group on the second, and one group in the basement.

The night started fairly eventful with a bit of physical object manipulation, a few possible EVP's, etc. Nothing completely mind blowing or with a high "WOW!" factor.

Anyway, as the night progressed I had the opportunity to sit in with Debbie and Mark Constantino(If you don't know who they are, I am sure you can find them online somewhere.) They proceeded to conduct an EVP session on the 2nd floor with about 5-6 or us as witnesses. They used an old Panasonic digital recorder to conduct the session. I was pretty surprised at how well the recorder actually picked up EVP's.

During the session they had approx. 10-15 questions validated with all direct responses. It was pretty amazing to see the responses come back so clear and accurate. Even when I asked the question, "If you can see my hand, how many fingers am I holding up?" The response came back something like, "Look at the other hand."

I also had a chance to finally meet John Zaffis face to face. John and I had a chance to discuss a few topics that were rather interesting. Like investigations at Bob Mackey's, the Bolton Mansion expo event we are both attending in June, and a few other things as well. John "The Godfather of the paranornal" Zaffis is a great guy. You can tell by his demeanor that he is easy going and down to earth. A real straight shooter. I look forward to our next meeting in June.

The next night was an investigation at the Tilley Pierce House with Michelle from NEPI, Patrick Burns and his lovely wife, Marley Harbuck Gibson. These guys were great. Patrick can be a bit quirky at times, but in a good way. Kind of reminds me of myself a bit(Yes. I am self proclaimed as 'goofy') Like Marley said during the investigation, you really need to have a sense of humor in this field. Truer words were never spoken.

As far as evidence is concerned, I have not had a chance to review it yet. Nor do I think I am going to share much with anyone. Why? Well, as cool as the Constantino's EVP session was, it was not my teams nor one of my personal investigations. To each his own I guess, but that's how I roll. (Michelle, if you are reading this.. you are the exception.) However, if I find an outstanding piece to share, I will definitely do so though.

I ran into a bunch of friends at the event as well. Like Angela from Spirited History, Jen from Everyday Paranormal, Scared! Paranormal, the Haberman's, Michael from CJPRG, Buffalo Paranormal, Iron Island Museum, and many others. Special thanks to Chris and Dana for hosting an amazing event and my fellow team member Dan Mallo for giving me the extremely detailed guided tour of Gettysburg.

The one thing I know I have taken back from this event is something very deep. I witnessed the paranormal community come together for the common good and interest of the field. It was like being with family at a paranormal Disney World of sorts. A place that makes you feel right at home. It's hard not to miss all of my new friends already.

Here's a few photos from Gettysburg(non-evidence for now):

Baby must have some serious back...

Jennie Wade House

Here's Johnny!

"The Bloody Wheatfield" - Looks like someone in the distance. Spirit perhaps?

My next focus will be on the Scream Paranormal Research investigates Eastern State Penitentiary event on April 8th, 2011. My team and I have many things to go over to get ready for this investigation. Going to be a great event.

If you are interested in going with us, please email us at screamparanormalresearch@gmail.com for more information and availability. Tickets are only $70 per person. 18 years or older.

Me and my team have a ton of things in the works. Between the private and public investigations, it is going to get insane. Wish I could say more. Stay tuned for more as it happens.

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

The kind folks over at N.E.P.I. (North Eastern Paranormal Investigations) just sold me a ticket to Phenomenology 103 in Gettysburg, PA for March 2011. They look to have an interesting line-up for the event.

My main concern was getting into the Jennie Wade House at some point during the event. I have heard many great things about that location and really wanted to experience it first hand. Luckily, they were able to accommodate me. Very exciting.

I will blog on this event after I get back with a few details as always.

Saturday, February 26, 2011

So.. I was out with some friends last night partying in NYC. It was a very long night. I think we got home around 5am.

Anyway, we finished the night by going to a famous falafel place in the village. I was selected to go and stand in line to order the food. Before I stood in line, I needed to use a bathroom. Since the falafel place didn't have a public restroom, I proceeded to head into a bar next to it.

When I got inside, it was around 3am. There was a sign above the bar that stated, "bathroom for customers only." Needing to take a leak pretty badly at this time, I ordered a shot of jack. I asked the bartender where the bathroom was and he gave me a door code and pointed to a doorway.

I put the code in and walked down a long staircase into the basement area. As soon as I reached the bottom of the staircase, I heard someone say something to me. It was loud. I don't know what was said. I was not expecting to have a conversation with anyone. Nobody was there with me. I shrugged it off and proceeded into the next room.

I walked down a long room where I ran into a cleaning guy mopping the floor. I asked him, "Have you ever experienced anything strange down here?" He looked up at me and smiled. He replied, "All the time." The look on his face was smug like "Ah ha! You heard it also, huh?" So I told him thanks and used the bathroom. Afterward, I made my way back up to the bar area.

When I paid for my shot, I felt the need for more validation. I asked the bartender if he ever heard of weird things happening there. He smiled and said, "Yes. Absolutely." I told him I was a ghost hunter and he said, "I see... You'd love this place." I thanked him and headed out.

I wish I had a business card on me at the time to give him. I mentioned my team name, but doubt he will remember it. He was busy cleaning up behind the bar. Either way, I know the village fairly well and will be going back there sometime in the near future for a visit I'm sure.

On a side note, I think the more I get into paranormal investigating, the more sensitive I am becoming to hearing disembodied voices. I do not know why. I am pretty sure I do not have schizophrenia or some other disease related to hearing voices. The only thing I do know is, my ability to hear these voices keeps improving and I keep hearing them on occasion. Since I started investigating the paranormal, I believe I've heard 8 disembodied voices in total so far.

Thursday, February 17, 2011

Every once in a while I catch one of those new spy toys that look like they may be of value to investigators in the field. (e.g. infrared goggles, etc.)

What is this new product? A laser tripwire. I use IR motion sensor lights every so often. I had them go off only once at a haunted location though. No conclusive though. It could have been a bug that set them off at the time.

These laser tripwires are around $25 each and look like they work up to 100ft. Pretty cool if you ask me.

However, I am not sure if a spirit could set them off. But, I do know this item could help secure your investigation location by putting some of these puppies around the entrance ways, right? Nothing worse than having a wise-ass trying to sneak in and contaminate your evidence.

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

That's right folks, Scream Paranormal Research is opening up team enrollment for an alternating team investigator.

If you or anyone you know is interested in the paranormal and wants to investigate some of the most haunted locations in the U.S. with us, please let us know.

Here are the basics:

All applicants must be 18 years or older.

Must have reliable transportation and be able to travel throughout the tri-state area(NY, NJ, PA)

Email us a recent photo and blurb on why you want to join SPR.

Once we have made a decision, we will be contacting those we feel meet the criteria for the team with additional details. Send your email submission to screamparanormalresearch@gmail.com for consideration.Thank you.

Thursday, January 27, 2011

If you are interested in going with me and my team Scream Paranormal Research on a paranormal investigation, we are currently selling tickets for Eastern State Penitentiary on April 8th, 2011. This place is ginormous! We have collected some great evidence from this location in the past. It is only $70 a ticket and all proceeds go to Eastern State. Non refundable. Limited spots available.

With special guest medium Richard Barconi.

We only have a few tickets remaining, so email us for current availability.

Thursday, January 13, 2011

Now that the winter is here in full force, it looks to be a good time to discuss seasonal investigations.

I love investigating anywhere at anytime. Especially places that have repeated reports of paranormal activity. The one thing I am not crazy about is being cold. If I have to investigate a residential that has been abandoned and has no heat, so be it. I will brave the cold without question, but I prefer a heated location. I would imagine I am not alone in feeling this way.

One thing to always keep in mind when conducting an investigation is to dress in layers. No matter what season it is. You always want to be prepared. The weather can be as unpredictable as paranormal investigating.

Example:
Let's say it's summertime... And you are investigating a location that takes you underground(cave, basement with tunnels, etc.) It would be wise to take a light jacket with you. Dark spaces underground tend to get a bit chilly. Especially if there is a breeze shooting through the place.

So, where does an investigator investigate during the cold winter months?

Here are just few public places I see myself investigating during the long winter on the east coast. (All locations listed are heated of course...)

Burlington County Prison in NJ

Bolton Mansion in PA

Shanley Hotel in NY

Now don't get me wrong.. Like I stated earlier, I will investigate anywhere at anytime. So, cemeteries and outdoor locations are still on the menu during the winter season. Just not a preference. These places can wait till spring/summer/fall to roll around.